M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math & Science (on-line program)

Georgia ONmyLine M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math & Science

This program is an on-line collaborative degree with North Georgia College and State University. Math and Science are the two concentration areas of study for this on-line M.Ed. program.

The M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science is an advanced degree, offering in-service middle grades teachers the opportunity to pursue advanced training in their teaching fields. Current certification in Middle Grades Math and/or Science is required for admission to the degree program, in order for the candidate to be considered for a teaching certificate upgrade. The degree is awarded through the NCATE accredited Dewar College of Education & Human Services at Valdosta State University. Top graduate faculty from Valdosta State University and North Georgia College and State University teach the courses. This 12-course program can be completed in four consecutive semesters – about 16 months - with full-time enrollment. Courses are offered on a continuous basis, allowing for part-time enrollment. All course-work, including exams, is done online. No campus visits are required to complete the program.

Special Requirements: Students must be employed teachers and hold a clear/renewable teaching certificate in Middle Grades Math and/or Middle Grades Science to be eligible for a certificate upgrade.

Delivery: The program is fully online, with no on-campus attendance requirements. Students conduct all work online, including team projects, exams, discussion posts, and case studies. Students have access to online academic resources, such as the library. Courses are asynchronous; there are no scheduled online meetings except those you might make with peers for group work.

Technology: Students must have access to a digital video camera to record performance for remote classroom observation. A webcam is an option for this requirement in some cases and can be useful for video conferencing with instructor or peers. Students must purchase the LiveText portfolio assessment application and should have high speed internet access. Additional software may be required.

Transfer credit: A maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate coursework may be considered; they must be less than 7 years of age at the point of completing this program. Requests for transfer credit prior to entering the M.Ed. program must be documented in the form of an official transcript during the admission process. Eligibility is determined by the student’s academic advisor.

M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math & Science

(Program of study)

Offered only in:

Course Number

Course Description

Hours

Master’s Core (15 Semester Hours)

Fall

MGMS 7200

Conceptualizing Middle Level Learning and Diversity in Context - Examination of concepts, principles, theories, and research that support the tenets of the middle school philosophy as well as current trends in middle level education. Focus will be on the unique nature and development of the middle-level learner. Candidates will analyze their own practice, investigate the impact of media on young adolescent developmental issues, and generate research-based professional resources.

3

Summer

MGMS 7240

Instructional Leadership and Assessment - Advanced knowledge and skill in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Multiple approaches to assessment will be emphasized as related to programmatic and content issues, learner outcomes, and teaching performance. Focus will be the advancement of best practices utilizing data to help make decisions about curriculum, instruction, and assessment within a content-based classroom

3

Spring

MGMS 7300

Collaboration and Professionalism - Collaborative skills among teachers, and between teacher and student, community, parents, and support professionals. Application to the graduate students’ work-sites will be emphasized.

3

Spring & Fall

MGMS 7100

Research Methodology in Education - This course provides a study of methods used to conduct educational and educationally-related research and includes critical analysis of selected research articles and research design. Emphasized is the ability to use research and research methods to improve practices in educational and educationally-related settings.

3

Spring & Fall

MGMS 7000

Professional Development Seminar I - The self-assessment of individual student understanding and application of master teacher outcomes.

Provides the basis for an individual program of study based on individual needs.

3

Math Content (9 Semester Hours)

Spring

MATH 5180

Mathematics for Middle School Teachers – Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in either MATH 1101 or MATH 1111. Concepts and processes that provide the foundation for the middle-grades mathematics curriculum (5-8). Includes an in-depth study of the real number system with emphasis on the rational number system and axiomatic differences among number systems. Other topics include relations and functions, geometry (including coordinate geometry and graphing), measurements, and elementary probability and statistics.

3

Summer

MATH 5190

Algebra and Geometry for Teachers - Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in either MATH 2261 or MATH 3180. An in-depth study of the concepts and processes underlying the middle and secondary school mathematics curriculum, with special emphasis placed upon the integrated development of algebra, geometry, and analytical geometry. Problem solving and historical context serve as unifying strands.

3

Summer

MATH 6161

Mathematical Reasoning - Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or higher in either MATH 3162 or MATH 3180 or permission of the instructor. An in-depth study of concepts and processes underlying the P-8 school mathematics curriculum, with special emphasis on informal and formal mathematical reasoning. Problem solving and historical context serve as unifying strands. The analysis and remediation of student errors manifested in the application of conceptual and procedural mathematical knowledge will also be addressed.

3

Science Content (9 Semester Hours)

Summer

MGMS 7400

Physical Science for Middle School - An integrated math and physics course with special emphasis on conceptual physics. The assigned work will include the laws of physics, theories, and problem solving, including a review of the basic math required to be a successful problem solver.

3

Fall

MGMS 7401

Chemistry, Earth Science, and Astronomy for Middle Grades - An integrated math and science course with special emphasis on an understanding of chemical processes related to earth science and astronomy, including a study of physical chemistry, earth processes, and the chemical evolution of the universe.

3

Fall

MGMS 7402

Life Science and Natural History for Middle Grades - A life-science course with special emphasis on ecology, biomes, classification, phylogenetic trees, and evolution and natural selection, including a study of the biosphere, biochemistry, genetics, and evolutionary processes.